Elmwood Park, N.J. Railroad Crossing Named One Of Nation's Most Dangerous
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A railroad crossing in Elmwood Park, New Jersey is one of the most dangerous in the country, but officials said action has been taken in hopes of changing that.
As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, the railroad crossing on Midland Avenue in Elmwood Park has seen 14 crashes since 2006.
"I would say it's dangerous; confusing," one resident said.
A new Federal Railroad Administration list out Thursday shows this sharply-angled crossing had the sixth most train versus car incidents out of more than 200,000 grade crossings nationwide.
Among the accidents was a January 2014 crash between an NJ TRANSIT commuter train and a vehicle stuck on the tracks. Thankfully, nobody got hurt that time, but the 14 such incidents at the crossing in the past 10 years have included one fatality.
But $800,000 in safety upgrades were made just last year in an effort to change that.
"Before the improvements, it was definitely a hazard," said Elmwood Park police Chief Michael Foligno.
Foligno credited new computerized stop lights, traffic sensing cameras, warning flashers, improved signs and pavement markings put in by the state last summer with making things safer.
"It's better for the motorists because they don't get stuck on the tracks," he said. "The light will come on; the warning signals will come on, before the trains are even remotely close to the area."
Still, some drivers remain skeptical.
"Is it ever enough?" said Donna Velardo of Saddle Brook. "Things are always going to happen."
But the New Jersey Department of Transportation hopes the improvements will eventually get the crossing off the most dangerous list in the future.